Planning a trip in early November to Toronto. Any recommendations for a memorable dining experience? To me, memorable means beyond just really good food, but something that we talk about well after the meal: A place my wife and I can reminisce about. A few other notes.
price is not an issue
any cuisine is fine, just looking for something that is interesting and creative.
We care less about ambience than the food. Give me a memorable meal served on a paper plate by a disgruntled waiter over a perfectly prepared, but underwhelming “taste bud experience” served in a showy manner.
Just an addendum to my post. If anyone knows of interesting places to eat, can be holes in the wall, off the beaten paths, or new places that show lots of promise. We are hoping to find something different, and fun, with good food. Can be fancy, can be chill, any recommendations are welcome. Thank you!
You’re quite welcome. I’m slightly envious of your trip: have long loved southern Ontario this time of year. Please let us know of your food experiences!
DaNico. I was greeted by name at the door by someone who had never met me yet knew I had flown in from LA. I was then shown to a chair by the fireplace and given the wine list without asking, while they prepared my table. The outstanding service continued from multiple staff. They were waiting with my coat when I got up from the table. All of this was at a higher standard than any restaurant I’ve been to in LA, and much appreciated.
While the service was three stars, the food was more consistent with the restaurant’s one star rating. Frenchified Italian as Robert would put it. Superb execution, great ingredients, but for some dishes, I wasn’t convinced they were better than the sum of their parts. Some dishes were exceptional though, with the lobster being about as good as I’ve ever had. Good wine pairings from a knowledgeable sommelier who was clearly on a constrained budget.
Osteria Giulia. Another Michelin-starred Italian restaurant, but very different from DaNico. Giuilia hews closer to traditional Ligurian with dishes like focaccia di recco, trofie al pesto, and simply grilled seafood. All very good — better than Osteria Mozza, the closest LA equivalent. Wine list was great. Service was great too. It surprises me to say that I would choose DaNico of these two restaurants; I really have become a Frenchified fine-dining snob. One reason you might choose Giulia instead: a special digestif list.
I liked the trofie al pesto more than version I’ve tasted (even in Genoa). I preferred the thinner, crispier focaccia di recco at Chi Spacca. The seafood was its own thing, hard to compare with anywhere in the U.S.
Koh Lipe. A Thai restaurant chosen by a UofT professor. Holy cow, this was good. Would compete for best Thai in LA. No-bullshit Thai, not Frenchified Anajak Thai. The pad mee was phenomenally good. It was just the tip of the iceberg. Exciting menu. Stays authentic yet presents a contemporary, cosmopolitan feel. I would go here over and over again if I lived in Toronto.
